Jim Franke, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart’s varsity tennis coach, and Chris Ohlwein, the school’s JV tennis coach, are co-recipients of this year’s Independent School League (ISL) Coach of the Year award following the recently completed 2024 fall season. In addition, Woodland’s varsity tennis team received the league’s Sportsmanship Award. ISL tennis coaches vote on which school demonstrates the best sportsmanship during the season.

Woodlands Academy Athletic Director Dana Daly is proud of this recognition of the school’s tennis program. “Jim and Chris model the kind of character that we expect our girls to exhibit – kindness, respect and hardworking,” she said. “It’s not a surprise for me that as a result of their leadership our girls won the ISL Sportsmanship Award.”    

In summing up the just-completed season, Franke said the Woodlands Wildcats play against some of the toughest competition in Illinois. “This helps us improve as players and requires us to be resourceful and resilient,” he added. “As evidence of that, the Wildcats finished with an impressive winning record of 9-7 and an even more impressive home record of 6-2. The team was led by captains (and seniors) Gracie Jennings and Fiona McNulty. They poured their passion and creativity into the team, which created an exciting atmosphere full of memories for all players.”

The JV tennis program also had a great season, according to Ohlwein. “The season was filled with a lot of growth and success. Our players continued to improve as they faced some very tough programs and competed when they took to the courts,” she said. “The grit, determination and passion for the sport of tennis was evident as the entire team contributed to our success. This season was a showcase of resilience and perseverance, led by some fantastic seniors – Sara Bult, Campbell Chesney, Rosie Graziano and Arina Tverdokhlib.”

Founded in 1967, the Independent School League is an Illinois High School Association affiliate comprising nine private secondary schools in the Chicago area.